Schoodic Jack Pine

Schoodic Jack Pine (Pinus banksiana 'Schoodic')

Schoodic Jack Pine (Pinus banksiana 'Schoodic') is a naturally low-growing, spreading form of the hardy Jack Pine, discovered along the rocky coast of Maine�s Schoodic Peninsula. This compact cultivar is ideal for use as a rugged groundcover or textural accent in dry, sandy, or windswept landscapes where few other conifers will thrive.

Distinctive Features

'Schoodic' maintains a broad, mounding habit with stiff, irregular branching and short, dense green needles. Its growth is wider than tall, hugging the ground and creating a natural-looking mat of evergreen texture. The plant�s coastal origin gives it excellent tolerance for wind, salt, and poor soils, and its wild, native form brings an informal, untamed character to the garden.

Growing Conditions

• Sun Exposure: Full sun
• Soil Type: Well-drained sandy, gravelly, or rocky soils
• Soil pH: Slightly acidic to neutral
• Water Needs: Low; drought-tolerant once established
• USDA Hardiness Zones: 2 to 6

Ideal Uses

• Groundcover for rocky slopes, embankments, or sandy soils
• Low-maintenance plant for naturalistic or coastal gardens
• Mass planting for erosion control or low evergreen coverage
• Accent in native or dryland conifer groupings
• Foundation plantings where height is restricted

Low Maintenance Care

• No pruning needed; form stays low and spreading
• Water occasionally during prolonged droughts
• Mulch with gravel or sand to reflect native habitat
• Do not fertilize heavily; prefers lean, poor soils
• Exceptionally cold-hardy and wind-tolerant

Why Choose Schoodic Jack Pine

• Naturally low-growing with a wide, spreading habit
• Thrives in poor, sandy, and coastal soils
• Low maintenance and highly drought-tolerant
• Great for erosion control and native plantings
• Provides a resilient evergreen focal point at ground level

Schoodic Jack Pine offers wild charm, impressive hardiness, and a naturalistic spreading form, making it a smart evergreen focal point or groundcover for rugged landscapes and dry, difficult sites.